Think Soberly

Think Soberly

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 NIV

The fool studies himself and comes to the conclusion that there is only good. The person that thinks of him or herself as full of good will look at the cross-work of Christ in bewilderment for it has no point or purpose for them. The fool speaks to him or her self and says that, "Faith is foolishness. I've no need for God. He does not exist (Psalm 14:1)." For them, faith is something to exploit, not to embrace. They take no pleasure in the things of God.

A person that believes in God, that is, has accepted Christ as Lord, is a person of wisdom. A man or woman of wisdom may examine themselves and err by only looking at the bad, the things that need work. Such judgment is most certainly inebriated by the thinking-ways of this world. A sound and sober self assessment must always consider the things that God will repair and that which has been imputed by Christ.

When a Christian examines his or her life, that person must always consider the position one holds in Christ. Or in other words, try to look at yourself the same way that God sees you. He looks at you and me and sees a son or a daughter that He loves. He sees living stones that remind Him of Christ. When He observes us he sees "the chosen ones", a royal priesthood and people of praise (1 Peter 2). We have been endowed with courage, understanding, power and right standing with God. And you can't ignore that which God has given.

When you make a sober self assessment, you will most certainly find something uncomfortable. But you will also find that God has begun a great work in you. And God always finishes what He starts!